Greetings All! Its Destiny Star* with chapter 24 of It Has Begun. Disclaimers: Sailor Moon was created by Takeuchi Naoko and all rights go to her and others like her. Long time no see, uh? Well, I couldn't help it. School, work, parents! Hate them all. Anyway, for the people who like really long chapters you are going to love this. Think about it. I've had about two months or more time to work on this chapter. This is exceedingly long. But I like to think it is also very good. Enjoy! Thanks! Comments to Reona32@aol.com Destiny Star* !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Chapter 24 It Has Begun Crystal Battle Small Lady reached for the purple flowers that hung from the white trellis above her head. She snapped off the flower and handed it down to Sun Knight who then dropped it into a basket by his feet. "I think we've got enough, Small Lady." said Sun Knight. Small Lady rapped her arms around his head as Sun Knight moved to the right. "Think we should get some of white flowers too?" she asked from her high position on his shoulders. Sun Knight nodded, causing Small Lady to grab his chin. "They would look nice together." he said as he walked over to the low hanging tree. As Small Lady took the first flower she glanced into the sky. With a gasp the white flower fell to the ground and Small Lady grabbed Sun Knight's head, causing the gold circlet he wore to press into his skin. "Hey, don't!" he shook his head a little. "Uncle Traq!" cried Small Lady as she pointed into the sky. He looked up and gasped at the numbers of shapes he saw in the sky and on the ground. Sun Knight pulled Small Lady off his shoulders and into his arms as he turned and ran for the palace. One of his boots kicked the basket as he went passed, scattering the purple flowers across the path. Small Lady looked over Sun Knight's shoulder to see the ruined plants. Tears slipped down her face and she closed her eyes as they raced up the stone steps. **** Sailor Moon leaned against Tuxedo Mask and propped her feet up on the bench they sat on. With a sigh she closed her eyes and rubbed the bridge of her nose with her hand. "Daijoubu, my love?" asked Tuxedo Mask with concern. Sailor Moon nodded and dropped her hand. "Hai. Gomen Nasai, I guess I'm just nervous." Tuxedo Mask rapped an arm around her and hugged her to his side. "It will be alright. You'll see, whatever happens we all will deal with it." he reassured her. Sailor Moon smiled, her eyes shining again. "Arigatu." she whispered as she placed her own hand over his and gave a firm squeeze. A loud slash brought her eyes up to look at the large pool of clear water they sat in front of. White water lilies rode the small waves that now rippled across the pond. "What are you two doing?" she asked. Luna looked over her shoulder at Sailor Moon, red eyes dancing. "Artemis had a little accident." she said innocently. A drenched Artemis popped out of the water and sputtered for air. An amber colored collar glittered against white fur around his neck as he pulled himself out of the water. Dripping water he glared at Luna. Finally a laugh bursted from the black cat. "Think its so funny, don'tcha?" Artemis said evilly as he began to shake the water from his body. Luna cried out as cold water was flung at her. Sailor Moon turned her head away as Tuxedo Mask pulled his cape around to shield them both from the water fight. "Hey, watch it!" yelled Tuxedo Mask. Sailor Moon was no longer paying any attention to the others. Her gaze was locked on the city across the palace grounds and the figures passed that. "Kusoooo...." whispered Sailor Moon. Tuxedo Mask looked at her and then followed her gaze. Slowly he lowered his numb arm that held his cape. Luna gasped and Artemis let his mouth hang open. They were every where. Something clicked inside Sailor Moon and she swung her feet off the bench and stood. "Come." she ordered. She sprinted across the court yard, Luna at her heels and the two men a second behind. ***** I stood on the balcony with Xzafer Knight's hands resting on my shoulders a second more before instinct and training kicked in. Turning on my heel I half jogged back into the room and out into the hall. Onyx was already gone looking for King Endymion and nowhere in sight. I reached up and tapped my earring. A short piece of silver curved around my cheek and rested at the corner of my mouth. "All Sailor alarm! All Sailor alarm! Everyone move to..to.." I paused as I tried to think of a place they all knew. "to the Court Room! Everyone move to the Court Room!" Turning sharply I broke into a run down the hall, Xzafer Knight behind me. "Sailor Moon?!" I said into the communicator. The answer I got was not what I was expecting. "Nani?!" Sailor Moon's voice sounded off to my right. I heard the rapid clicks of her white boots before I saw her run up the stone steps from the gardens. "I saw! I saw!" she called before I could ask. I twisted down the mouth piece to my communicator so I could talk to her. "Where is Small Lady?" I asked. "With my Brother." Sailor Moon answered as she ran next to me. "I thought they were in the garden." said Luna from the floor. I nodded and twist the mouth piece back up. "Sun Knight?!" I said. Again the answer I got was not what I was expecting. "Here!" Sun Knight came running down the opposite hall and joined us. Gently Sailor Moon took Small Lady from his arms and cradled the child against her shoulder. *** Onyx rushed around the corner at top speed, thankful that the pads on her paws allowed her not to slid on the marble floor. She cried out as she almost collided with Obsidian coming from the hallway. "Onyx! Where are you going?" yelled Obsidian as Onyx picked herself up and continued to rush down the hall. "Endymion!" she yelled over her shoulder, completely ignoring both Star Knight and Sailor Light as they watched her take another corner. "What was that all about?" asked Sailor Light. Star Knight shook his head with a sigh. "Lets go." The three continued down the hall to the Court Room. Onyx knew where King Endymion was, it was the only place he could be. Onyx managed to stop herself before she passed the double doors completely. The doors were closed, a problem for a cat. But a system had been set up around the palace for the advisers use. With her paw she pressed a panel on the wall next to the door near the floor. The door clicked open and Onyx push the door open with her body to allow enough space to get in. She was in the white room that held Neo Queen Serenity. King Endymion stood in front of the crystal case with his hands resting on top. Onyx was a little surprised not to see this time Jade by his side, but she guessed that was to much of a risk to take with the others here. At the door opening King Endymion turned his head to look at Onyx. "We are attacked." she gasped out in a rushed breath. King Endymion's hands slid from the case and with long strides walked out of the room with out a word. Onyx gasped in a deep breath and followed him out. The door clicked shut behind her. **** In the Library a leather book fell to the floor from numb hands. Sailor Mercury had not been expecting the attack to come so soon and was a little shocked. Shaking her head to clear it she reached up and pressed her earring so her communicator disappeared. Zoisite set the book he had been looking at on a table and reach a hand out to Sailor Mercury. Taking it they both rushed toward the Court Room. A pan clanged nosily on the counter in the large Kitchen. Sailor Jupiter hit the button to the mixer to shut it off and the lid flipped off. She left it where it landed up side down on the counter. Turning on her heel she rushed toward the door. Nephrite hit the sink faucet with his fist to shut off the water as he ran after her. The room was left a mess. Sailor Mars took the time to carefully place the sword she had been holding back on to the stand it had been on before turning to look for Jadeite. He was sliding a case shut as he turned to look at her. With a solemn looked they both nodded as they turned for the door. The Armory Room was missing one dagger from a case as they walked out. Sailor Venus looked up from the flower she had been smelling. Malecite appeared behind her as they listened to the hurried talking through their communicators. They where in a part of the garden surrounded by tall trees. Sailor Venus looked up and frowned at not being able to see the sky just now. Malecite placed a hand on her shoulder and without looking at him Sailor Venus nodded. Both turned sharply as they jogged into the Palace. Sailor Neptune stopped in the middle of the balance beam as her communicator sounded. Sailor Uranus was almost startled off the uneven bars as her own communicator beeped in her ear. She managed to complete the move and dismount perfectly. "I saw that." teased Falcon from next to her. Sailor Uranus gave him a dark look as she listened to the message from Sailor Star. Wolf came to stand next to Sailor Neptune as she dropped to the ground. All four exchanged grave looks before leaving the Gym to go to the Court Room. **** As I turned into the hall that held the Court Room I saw coming from the opposite direction my Brother, Sailor Light, and Obsidian. Both groups meet in the middle of the hall and I turned to the doors. Swinging them open I was a little surprised to see Sailor Pluto, Sailor Saturn, Kodiak, and Lynx already there. Glaring at Sailor Pluto I gasped out between harsh breath. "You could have at least told me." I received a look without emotion from the Guardian of Time. Sighing I turned when we heard racing foot steps enter the room. Zoisite and Sailor Mercury came in followed closely by Nephrite and Sailor Jupiter. All stopped in the middle of the room in silence, waiting for orders. With a flap of soft wings, Apollo flew into the room from the open balconies and landed gently on Sun Knight's outstretched arm. "We are surround outside the shields." The falcon said with a grave look to his master. Sun Knight turned worried blue eyes to his sister, who mirrored the look. Tuxedo Mask set his hand on Sailor Moon's shoulder and she covered it with her own gloved fingers. Small Lady stood hanging on to Sailor Moon's leg. Malachite and Sailor Venus entered the room and took a place among the others. Artemis stood from him place next to Luna and joined Sailor Venus. Jadeite and Sailor Mars ran into the room like they were racing each other. I arched my eyebrows at them and thought that was just what they did. Sailor Mars placed her hands on her knees and glared at me. "It just had to be the Court Room, didn't it?" she gasped. I smiled as I remembered the Gym and Armory where on the other side of the palace. The group from the Gym entered behind them, looking much better. Corran and Eclipse dashed into the room and took there places, Corran next to Sailor Uranus and Eclipse next to Sailor Light. "What's the plan?" asked Malachite. I raised my hand for quite and look expectantly at the doors. "Who else are you waiting for?" exclaimed Sailor Mars. I looked at her annoyingly but didn't have to answer as swift foot steps were heard and King Endymion strode through the doors. Onyx followed behind, gasping for breath as she had just run the length of the palace. Obsidian dashed from Star Knight's side to her just as Onyx pooled on to the floor. I nearly choked on a laugh. Regaining myself I said. "There is no way to fight the numbers outside but for to simply fight." I swept my eyes over all of them. "The sailors are the strongest, there for it is the Knight's and Guard's duty to see that we all get off our strongest attacks without interference." I closed my eyes with a sigh. "I don't know what it will take to defeat the Doom Phantom, but it must be done. Small Lady." I looked at the little girl by Sailor Moon. "You will stay in the Palace with King Endymion in the Computer Room." Small Lady opened her mouth to protest. "Understand!?" I said in a hard voice without question. Small Lady snapped her mouth shut and nodded. Suddenly the palace shook. "It Has Begun." I said in a soft voice. Sailor Moon reached down and picked Small Lady up. With a final hug she handed Small Lady to King Endymion. "Be a good girl." Sailor Moon said with a smile. Small Lady nodded as she hugged King Endymion's neck. As a group we moved out of the Court Room and into the gardens. From above a black beam shot from one of the aircraft. The shield gleamed against the sky but held firmly. "Sailor Star" asked Sailor Light from next to me. "Is it possible to shoot our attacks through the shield without damaging it?" I thought for a second. "It seemed to have no problem letting us through before." said Falcon. "Sailor Mercury, see if it can be done." I said as several Raths and Yomas let loose on the shield from the ground. The sky seemed to turn to colored fire but it still held. Sailor Mercury tapped her other earring and a blue visor flashed across her eyes. Information raced across the screen. With a shack of her head she looked at me. "I believe if you shoot too many attacks through the shield we will weaken it but it will allow our attacks to go through." she said. "Then I think we should do a Cosmic Crystal Power through the shield first and then go out to fight." said Sailor Moon. I nodded. "It will give us a breach of time. Lets do it." The sky burned to almost a purple color as we moved into a three tier line. I slid off the Star Crystal and passed my free hand over it. The lid disappeared and I held it out in front of me. I closed my eyes and felt a light wind move around me. The others rushed near to the edge of the shield. They could see the muted details of the fight waiting on the other side. Sailor Mars gulped loudly but held her place next to Jadeite. "I don't believe this." muttered Wolf. Silently Sailor Neptune nodded by him. Sailor Saturn moved her grave to a position across her back and glared past the shield to a Rath that had attacked the space before her. Unable to resist, Sun Knight stuck his tongue out at a Yoma on the other side. Behind them we stood with the wind picking up our hair. We held the power as long as we could from the crystal. Rings of our color appear on the ground around each of us. The wind became wild and I snapped my eyes open, they were completely silver. "Cosmic....'Star'...'Moon'...'Light'...Crystal Power!" we yelled. I rapped my hands around the Star Crystal and forced the power up instead of out. The rings of light around us shot toward the sky and we were incased in shafts of our color. Bursting through the shield the power spilled out into the sky. I felt heat from the crystal through my gloves. The colors of silver, gold, and white mixed in the air and pushed across the sky. Anything the colored cloud touched was turned to dust in the sky. The power fell to the ground and took out entire groups of Rath and Yoma. The others turned to look at us when this odd change of direction happened. "Is that normal?" asked Tuxedo Mask, still concerned for Sailor Moon. Star Knight nodded next to him. "Hai, they can control their power anyway they will." he said. The beams around us fell back to the ground and the power ended, leaving chaos outside the shield. ******** They acted. "World Shacking!" yelled Sailor Uranus as she jumped through the shield. The ground opened up and the closed on several Rath and Yoma that had fallen in. She jumped away from the swing of a blade and turned to face the Yoma. She watched as it exploded into dust from Falcon's sword. Tuxedo Mask thrust out his hand and his cane extended through two Yomas in front of him. Him momentum carried him through the dust left behind and a red rose suddenly appeared in the chest of the third. Tuxedo Mask used the falling body as a spring board to jump into the air as a blade sliced through the space by him. With a growl Jade leapt at the Yoma and knocked the weapon from the attachment that should have been a hand. Jade held on to the arm long enough for Tuxedo Mask to turn in the air and throw a rose at it. Jade jumped away as the Yoma turned to dust like that others. Sailor Neptune leapt over a Yoma and landed smoothly behind it. She turned on her heel and kicked it in the back. The yoma was thrown forward and Wolf's sword appeared in its back. The yoma turned to dust and Wolf spun quickly around. Swinging his sword in a wide arch he cut through the bodies of two Yomas and they turned to dust. Sailor Neptune did a back flip to avoid an energy attack and found herself in the middle of a ring of Yomas back to back with Sailor Mercury. The both looked at each other and nodded. "Mercury Ice Storm Blast! " "Deep Submerge!" Two waves of water and ice rushed out to meet the ring around them. Both girls turn and clasp hands in triumph, not noticing the lone Rath that had been in the ring. The Rath was badly hurt but not out. Suddenly both girls cried out as the were pushed to the ground by Zoisite. "What the?" yelled Sailor Mercury as she looked at Zoisite. Both girls followed his gaze to see Wolf take a fling leap at the Rath and embed his sword in the monster's chest. The Rath looked at the blade coming from its body and then slowly reached toward Wolf. Halfway through the action the Rath turned to dust. "Be careful!" Zoisite hissed. They all jerked their heads up as a Rath moved toward the three on the ground. They rolled in different directions and stood in a loose triangle around the Rath. "Mercury Ice Strom Blast!" "Deep Submerge!" The two water powers collided into the Rath and then Zoisite jumped in and finished it with his staff. Star Knight and Xzafer Knight were going up against a Rath that had a sword at the end of each arm. The Rath was doing a good job of holding both of them off and only have a few cuts. Star Knight jumped back from the blade swing at his middle. "I don't think I like you very much!" he muttered. Inside the shield I replaced the Star Crystal back on my bow and turned to the others. "No, holding back." I said to Sailor Moon and Sailor Light. They both nodded grimly. I felt fur brush up against my leg and looked down to see Onyx by my side. I raised my head to look out of the shield. "Lets show them what the Guardians of the High Kingdoms can really do." I said. "Its dusting time." said Sailor Moon as we raced toward the shield. As I went through the shield I immediately jumped into the air. Star Knight looked up as I sailed over the head of the two sword Rath. "Sailor Star!" he yelled in surprise. When I was above the Rath I pointed both my hands down and whispered. "Star Blast." I felt my hands tingle with heat. Where once a baseball sized blast of energy came now a larger ball of one foot size slammed into the Rath from above. It exploded into dust without knowing what hit it. I landed smoothly between Xzafer Knight and Star Knight. Without a stop I suddenly spun around once. "Silver Star Streams." I said calmly. I held my hands together as I turned and when I completed the spin I flung out my left hand. From a ball of silver energy I held in my right hand three ribbons followed the path of my left as I pointed it toward the monster in front of me. The streams rapped around it and flashed. They disappeared when the monster turned to dust. Turning to the left I threw the remaining ball of energy from my right hand. "Gem Flash." I commanded as the ball left my hand. The sphere began to pulse as it flew toward the ring of monsters that surrounded Sailor Venus and Malachite. As the ball hit the ground next to them it exploded in silver light. Sailor Venus yelped in surprise and Artemis flattened himself down. As if the ball had been made of crystal or glass shards of silver flew in all directions. When the light faded several Yoma had turned to dust from attack and others were finished by Malachite and Sailor Venus. None of the shards had hurt either of them. I smiled in triumph to Xzafer Knight, who just stared at me. Sailor Moon raced to the area where Tuxedo Mask stood fighting with a Rath he had no idea how to kill. Something flashed in her hand and a Yoma in her path exploded into dust when finding her dagger in its chest. Raising her arm above her head the dagger appeared in her hand and she placed it back in its sheath above her skirt. Sailor Moon brought both hands in front of her and pointed them toward Tuxedo Mask and the Rath. "Moon Blast." she said calmly as she continued to run. From her hands flew a foot wide ball of gold energy. The ball raced toward Tuxedo Mask's back. He cried out in surprise, not pain, as the attack engulfed him in gold. Tuxedo Mask and Jade watched the Rath turn to dust within the ball of gold. The gold attack disappeared when the Rath was gone. Sailor Moon did not stopped running when she let the attack go. Using her speed she was able to push Tuxedo Mask forward as a black energy ball stuck the ground. Luna came up behind the Yoma that was heading toward the two fighters. She leapt at its arm and held on as the Yoma tried to shake her loose. As they rolled Sailor Moon raised her hand to the point above her skirt and a Moon Scabbard flashed into her hand. As she rotated into a crouched position she threw out her hand. "Shards..Shock." she commanded as the gold crescent moon flew through the air toward the Yoma. Luna jumped away and went to the kneeling Sailor Moon. The scabbard broke into pieces that hit the Yoma at many places. A web of gold appeared over its body and flashed. With a cry it turned to dust. Sailor Moon stood and looked at Tuxedo Mask with concern. "Daijoubu?" she asked. Her only response was a nod and a quite "Wow." A smile spread across Sailor Moon's face. "I take it you're fine." she laughed. Sailor Light jumped over a swing and then trapped it under her white boots. The yoma screeched at her as Sailor Light raised her hand to it body. "Light Blast." she whispered. White light flashed in the space between them and the yoma turned to dust. She shook her head to clear the ringing the yoma's cry had caused. She almost didn't see the Rath off to her side but she managed to jump away from its attack. A chin swung over her head as she ducked. The Rath had a sword attached to one arm and a malice on the other. Sailor Light jumped high over the blade and swung out her leg. Her foot connected with the side of the Rath's head nicely. "Eclipse!" she called as she landed. A gray body leapt at the Rath and attached itself to the arm with the malice so it couldn't be used. Sailor Light raised both hands above her and made a stand with her palms. "Light Spark." she said. A ball of white light appeared on her upturned hands. Pieces of gleaming white fell from the ball like embers of a white fire. Sailor Light lowered her hands and the ball shot toward the Rath and engulfed it. Eclipse jumped away as the Rath turned to dust. Star Knight raced over to her with Obsidian by his side. "Daijoubu?" he asked her. Sailor Light smiled up at him. "You are late." she said sweetly. Suddenly Star Knight jerked his head up. With a grim look he grabbed Sailor Light and jumped to the side as a beam hit the ground. Sailor Light rolled to a stand with Star Knight and turned to look in the sky. Her hazel eyes narrow. Some of the aircraft were still in the sky even after their Cosmic Crystal Power earlier. "Well, if they want to fight in the air. Then we can fight in the air." she said. Raising her hand to her lips she whistle sharply. A few feet away a bright light appeared and from it a form stepped out. LightRay reared, her white mane flying and her wing spreading from her sides. Sailor Light leapt on between the wing and gather the reins. "No, you don't! Not without me!" yelled Star Knight. He sheathed his sword and jumped on behind her. "Hang on!" warned Sailor Light as she gave the command. LightRay jumped into the air and flapped her wings. As they rose higher into the sky Sailor Light raised her hand and called her staff. A long shaft of light appeared in her hand and became the Light Staff. Star Knight tightened his grip around Sailor Light's waist. "I hate this." he muttered. Sailor Light suppressed a smile. "Sailor Star!" yelled Onyx. I back flipped away from a yoma and then threw a Star Scabbard at it. The silver star hit the yoma in the chest and it turned to dust. "Nani?" I called to the cat. Looking at her I saw she was staring into the sky. Following her gaze I saw Sailor Light and my Brother on LightRay. Following their path in the air I saw the aircraft they were heading toward. "Oh Dear." I muttered. I had to quickly jumped away from a Yoma that tried to use my distraction to kill. The movement was sloppy and I fell to the ground on my side. I turned to see the Yoma swing his sword down. Fear laced through me as the blade came toward me. There was nothing I could do as I watched it...... watched it stop a few inches in front of my face and never touch me. Xzafer Knight own blade slowly pushed back the sword of the Yoma. For a stunned second I laid there and watched them push against each others blade. Blinking, I rolled on to my back and kicked the arm of the Yoma. Its blade swung up and Xzafer Knight pushed the Yoma away from me. The monster soon found Xzafer Knight's's sword in its body and turned to dust. I pushed myself up and stood. Pain surged from my left shoulder and I saw I had a good size cut just below the clear shoulder puff. I watched the silver liquid run down my arm and sighed in frustration. I turned my head up and saw LightRay fly around a beam from one of the ships. Xzafer Knight tied a green cloth around my upper arm to stop the bleeding. "Arigatu, love." I said in a tired voice. He smiled and kissed me lightly on the cheek. "Just be careful." he whispered. Above them LightRay danced around the beams coming from the aircraft. Sailor Light threw a Light Scabbard at the ship and something glass on the side shattered. "What are we going to do?" asked Star Knight as he leaned up to Sailor Light's ear. She didn't answer him as she let go of the reins and griped her staff with both hands. Raising it horizontally over her head she concentrated on the light symbol of the staff. The end began to glow white until Star Knight could no longer look at it and had to turn away. Sailor Light's eyes flew open and she looked at the ship with white eyes. "White Light Blaze." she said softly. The light at the end of the staff shot into the sky and collided with the ship. It burned brighter as it surround the aircraft. Finally the light stopped and when Star Knight looked there was nothing in the sky. Sailor Light sighed and guided LightRay back to the ground. Sailor Mars back flipped and then jumped to the side to avoid being hit by two different Yoma. "Mars Fire Ignite!" she cried. The yoma closest to her was hit by the flame and turned to ash. She turned quickly to face the other Yoma but only found Jadeite standing there smiling. "Show off." Sailor Mars hissed. She was bumped from behind and turned to see Sailor Jupiter gasping for air next to Nephrite. "Gomen Nasai." said Sailor Jupiter. "Look out!" yelled Zoisite close by. Sailor Mars and Sailor Jupiter jumped away as an energy ball struck the ground between them. "Mars Celestial Fire Surround!" "Jupiter Supreme Thunder Crash!" The two powers mixed and hit the Rath head on. The two Guards jumped toward the hurt Rath. Jadeite struck high and Nephrite hit low with their swords and the Rath turned to dust. Zoisite and Sailor Mercury ran up to them. Sailor Mercury had a cut on her lower leg but it didn't look like it went through her boot to the skin. Zoisite's hair had fallen out of its tie and hung limp against his neck. "How is everyone?" puffed Sailor Mercury as she looked around with her visor. "Oh, I'm having great fun!" said Sailor Mars sarcastically. "Don't start, Mars." said Sailor Jupiter. Jadeite jerked his head up and stared over Zoisite's shoulder. "Behind you!" he yelled. Zoisite whipped around and pushed Sailor Mercury to the side. A spear looking weapon crashed onto the ground, throwing up rock. Pieces of stone stung their skin as they moved back. They had to form a loose outward facing circle as several monsters closed in around them. I jumped up onto a large fallen piece of crystal from one of the building. I hoped my perch would not roll and throw me off. Standing on the crystal I looked around. My spirts fell. In the distance I could see why their was so many Yomas and Raths and why more ships had appeared when I was so sure we had destroyed them earlier. Two black portal could be see on the far side of the fighting. Raising my head I saw LightRay flying back down to the ground and land in a clear area. Star Knight slid off and pulled out his sword as several Yomas surged at them as soon as the touched the ground. Sailor Light stayed on LightRay and fought with her staff, LightRay's hoofs added to the damage done. As I turned to jump to their add I did not notice the aircraft above me. I leapt off the crystal as a black beam hit the space where I once was. "Sailor Star!!" I heard Xzafer Knight cry. I felt heat run across my back and legs as I was thrown by the wave of hot wind. Crystal shards stung my body and I was grateful for what ever magic kept them from piercing my skin. I fought to right myself in the air as I fell. I half twisted and knew I had no time as the ground rushed up to meet me. I fell heavily on my hip. The breath was forced out of my lungs as I couldn't kept my upper body from hitting the ground. As pain began to flow through my body I also felt hands pick me up. I had never known Xzafer Knight to move so fast as he held me in his arms. "Reona! Say something!" he pleaded. I gasped in a breath and forced it past my lips. "Oooouch" Xzafer Knight seemed to go weak with relive. "Arigatu" he whispered against my hair. A shadow fell over us and Xzafer Knight held my tighter before relaxing. "Are you two alright?" asked Sailor Moon with wide eyes. Tuxedo Mask stood next to her, his eyes looking around for any Yoma coming near. His cape was torn but other wise he looked fine. Sun Knight appeared over his sister's shoulder, also keeping watch. "Sailor Moon." I said as loud as my aching lungs would allow. I raised my good arm and pointed at the airships. "Sailor Jupiter." That was all I had to say as Sailor Moon nodded and turned away. I rolled out of Xzafer Knight arms and forced myself to stand. "I'm not really hurt, I'm just in pain." I muttered at Xzafer Knight worried look. The look on his face told me he didn't agree with what I just said but did nothing to stop me as I started forward. Star Knight ducked one attack and jumped away from another. There was simply to many to fight at once, and they knew it. Silver blood ran down my Brothers lower arm. Both Xzafer Knight and I waved our way to join the fight. "Sister, I am glad to see you." Star Knight said to me as he stood back to back with Xzafer Knight. Sailor Light jumped off LightRay and ordered her away. I raised my hand and called my own staff. The long shaft of silver light solidified into the Star Staff. The weight felt good in my hands as I moved the staff vertical in front of my body. Sailor Light put her back to mine and moved her staff vertical in front of herself. Wind picked up around us and moved in a circle pattern close to us. "Star." "Light" we said softly. Xzafer Knight and Star Knight looked at us as they fought. "What are they doing?!" yelled Star Knight. "I don't know!" called Xzafer Knight as the Yoma before him turned to dust by his sword. "Exhale" we whispered as we thrust our staff toward the sky. The circle of wind became wild and raced out from around us. Our hair was blown straight up. The wind went passed Xzafer Knight and Star Knight with only blowing about their capes but as the wind touched the monsters they were thrown into the air and turned to dust. The dust continued to fly out as the wind picked rock and stone from the ground and carried it along. Many of the others yelled out in surprise as the wind passed them too. The wind whipped around clothes and hair in a crazy pattern but didn't hurt them. Sailor Saturn watched as the yoma around her turned to dust and flew away. Her short hair moved against her cheek and then settled. Sailor Pluto was forced to cover her face with an arm as her long hair flew about. Kodiak's cape flew up and over his head. He fought it down and glared back at us. Sailor Venus yelped as her blond hair was flipped over her head and fell across her face. Malachite allowed his white hair to fly about as the Yoma in front of him blew away. Sun Knight turned his head away and watched the wind past behind him. Apollo spun in the air before he was able to right himself and landed on Sun Knight's shoulder. Several of the advisers laid low on the ground and flattened their ears as the wind pasted them. The farther away the wind moved from us the weaker it became until it faded away. Slowly I relaxed my body and lifted my head. An area of 30 meters around us was whipped clean of rubble and monsters. "Well, that worked well." said Sailor Light. Eclipse gave her a dark look as she tried to get her fur to lay down again. I blew some hair out of my eyes and turned around to look at Sailor Light. Her hair had come out of her half ponytail and her shoulder length hair hung limp. She looked at the now useless hair tie and tossed it over her shoulder. Sailor Moon didn't stopped running when the wind blew past her. Her golden hair flew up and around her. Tuxedo Mask's cape blew around his body and he faltered before continuing. Sailor Moon kept glancing into the sky. "Right!" she yelled and both of them jumped away from the black beam aimed at them. Sailor Moon saw the problem the small ring she was running at was having with the monsters around them, many were Raths. Holding both hands at her side she made a trap with her palms toward each other. "Jewel Glare." she whispered. A gold light appeared between her hands and solidified. A spiked ball floated in her grasp. Sailor Moon pushed her hands in front of her and the ball shot off toward the group. When it landed it seemed to exploded and the points flew in every direction. They all startled when something landed in their mists and broke apart. "Whoa!" cried Zoisite. But the shards went past them and hit the outer ring of monsters. When the pieces hit they flashed gold and the Yoma turned to dust. The Raths in the group were thrown back. Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask reached them. "What was that!?" demanded Sailor Mars. Sailor Moon ignored her. Turning to the green scout Sailor Moon pointed into the sky. "Can you get your lightning up there?" she questioned. Both Sailor Jupiter's and Nephrite's nodded. "I don't care how you two do it but shoot them down!" Sailor Moon commanded as she pointed to the three ships that where now in the air. Suddenly Sailor Moon's other hands swung out and a Rath was dusted by her dagger. Both guardian of lightning raced off to the side. Sailor Jupiter raised her hands above her head and then pulled them down. "I call upon the power of Jupiter." Her rod extended from her tiara. "Jupiter Thunder Clap... Crash!" she yelled. As the lightning fell from the sky Sailor Jupiter did not bring it down to herself but willed it to spread across the sky. Lightning laced across the sky. As it surrounded a ship you could see them begin to pitch and roll. The soft humming sound that had once come from the aircraft stopped and the three ships began to fall to earth. The field of safety our attack had give us was now beginning to shrink again. With a bit of fear I realized that our actions had now separated us into two main groups. Around Sailor Light and Me were the Outers, plus the Venus guardians. And across the area was the smaller group of the Inners around Sailor Moon. My whole body hurt but I pushed it away and forced myself to think of what to do. I griped my staff and rushed over to Sun Knight. As I ran I threw a Star Scabbard at a Yoma Wolf was fighting. The Yoma turned to dust and he flashed me a smile before turning away to help Sailor Neptune. As I reached Sun Knight he had just finished a Yoma with his sword. "Sun Knight!" I called from off to his side. I slid to a stop next to him and looked up into the sky. "Where's Apollo?" I asked. Sun Knight raised his fingers to his lips and whistled sharply. Apollo flew down and landed on his upturn fist. "Apollo, I need you to fly up and find the two portals over there." I point to the far side of the field, past Sailor Moon. I only hoped I wasn't completely turned around from where I saw them from the crystal earlier. The bird gave a short nod before rising into the air. I gave Sun Knight a tired smile as I turned away from him. Suddenly I heard a roar and saw my shadow flash on the ground before me. Turning I watched as the lightning from Sailor Jupiter hit the ships. Watched as they fall through the air. And realized that one of the ships would not fall away into the crystal city but was heading for us. "Its going to fall on us!" said Sun Knight. I turned and screamed across the field. "Sailor Pluto!" She turned to me and I pointed into the sky. In a smooth motion she raised her own Time Staff. "Dead Scream." I heard her say calmly. The purple ball of power raced up into the sky and hit the falling aircraft. It exploded with a flash and pieces fell to the earth. "Watch out!!!" I yelled, hoping my voice would carry some to the others. I spun out of the way of a larger piece of debris. Across the area that now separated us, Sailor Moon some how heard my voice and looked into the sky. She saw the ship blow up in a blast of purple and recognized Sailor Pluto's power. "Heads Up!" Sailor Moon yelled to those around her. She was glad when a piece of the ship dusted one of the Yoma around her. Sailor Moon turned when she heard some one yelp. Sailor Mars dropped to her knees as a large piece of the ship flew over her head and landed behind her. She should have stay on her feet. A Rath leapt toward Sailor Mars as she began to stand and rapped its arms around the red scout. Sailor Mars yelped as the air was pushed from her lungs. Dots appeared before her eyes and she struggled against the Rath. "Mars!" cried Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon was no longer paying attention to the battle and was focusing only on her friend. Behind her a Yoma raised its sword and swung at Sailor Moon. Something black slammed into Sailor Moon's side and pushed her over. Luna fell next to her and looked at Sailor Moon with wide red eyes. Sailor Moon's head jerked up as a black cane punched through the Yoma's chest and it turned to dust. Tuxedo Mask stood behind the now dusted monster. Sailor Moon looked back toward the struggling Sailor Mars and saw Jadeite race up behind the Rath. He jumped and pulled something from his waist band. Jadeite jabbed it into the Rath's back and the Rath dropped Sailor Mars. It was not enough to destroy the Rath. Sailor Moon recognized the weapon to be a copy of her own. "The red gem, Jadeite! Push the red gem on the hilt of the dagger!" she yelled. Jadeite looked at the dagger and pressed the red jewel he saw near the blade. The dagger flashed and the blade suddenly appeared through the Rath's chest. It turned to dust and the now sword dropped to the ground. After a second it flashed again and returned to a dagger. Sailor Moon pushed herself up and walked over to them. She helped Sailor Mars to her feet. "Are you okay, Mars?" she asked. Sailor Mars groaned. "I'll live. I'll just have the bruises to show it." she said. Sailor Moon bent and picked up the dagger. I was defiantly the dagger Sailor Mars would one day receive. She looked at Jadeite. "This could be considered stealing." she said. "But I'm glad you had it anyway." Sailor Moon smiled and placed the dagger into her Space Pocket. This Rath just didn't want to die. "Will you just turn to dust already!" I hissed as I jumped away from the sword it held. The Rath screeched at me. So far I have hit it with a Star Scabbard and a smaller Star Blast. But it just kept going. I swung my own staff at its middle and was gratified to see a line of light green blood appear. "Oh, I think I made it mad." I teased. My hand flashed out and my dagger became another decoration on it body. "Shock" I command, hoping the old Star Scabbard would still obey. It did. Finally, it turned to dust. My arm ached and my eyes burned. We are in trouble. "We've got to regroup!" I yelled. Suddenly I heard a strange cry from above. I raised my right arm level and felt a weight of soft feathers land on it. "We have problems" said Apollo as he folded his wings. "Tell me something I don't know." I said sarcastically. "There are now three portals with a steady stream of Nega-monsters coming out." continued Apollo. I blinked at him before raising my arm to let him fly away. "Congratulations, I didn't not know that." I said as he flew into the air and returned to Sun Knight. I looked around. I could continue to try and yell my commands above all the noise, which was not working very well, or I could save my useless voice and risk distracting them by using the communicators. I sighed, bit my lip, and touched my earring. Silver flashed around my cheek. "Guys." I said into it. I saw several other flashes of color around and heard tired, ragged response. "Sailor Moon?" I asked, hoping I had a link to the other group. I danced around a Yoma and smiled my thanks to Xzafer Knight when he dusted it. "I'm here." said Sailor Moon. I looked across the field and saw her dust a Yoma with a Moon Blast. "We have got to regroup. Everyone push toward the middle." I said. I saw several of us turn and race away from their fights to the middle of the field. Others went through the monsters in front of them and hurried on. Sailor Light ran to my side and together we raced to the middle of the field. Turning to the side Sailor Moon ran up a chunk of fallen crystal and used it as a spring board to jump into the air. "What is she doing now?" hissed Sailor Mars, trying to dust a monster in front of her. Sailor Jupiter's lightning flashed and the Yoma was dusted. "I don't know what she's doing!" said Sailor Jupiter as she raced past. When Sailor Moon was sure she was a high as she could get she pointed her hands down. "Gold Moon Dust." she whispered. What appeared to be gold rain fell from her body onto those she past over. The dust fell on Sailor Mercury and Zoisite. Sailor Mercury raised her hand to her face for a closer look. The dust was not wet and it did nothing to her. Zoisite shook his head. "What is this?" he asked. "Its from Sailor Moon." said Tuxedo Mask as he watched the form flying through the air above them. Although the dust did nothing to them, the Rath and Yoma around them didn't seem to like the gold dust. The screeched and tried to shield themselves. A few Yoma flashed and turned to dust. "Don't look a gift horse in the month, people." said Nephrite as he pushed them forward. "Let go!" The group rushed toward the center. Sailor Moon landed smoothly and with a look over her shoulder continued to run. We meet in the center and turned to face outward for a new attack. Onyx panted by my side and I could feel Xzafer Knight next to me. "This is bad. This is really bad." whispered Sailor Moon. I glanced at her and then shifted my weight for an attack. I was now able to see between two of the monsters and froze. Walking calmly toward us was someone I did not want to see. And he was heading a new line of Rath and Yoma at us. "Toris!" I hissed. Sailor Moon jerked her head toward me and saw him too. Then the laugh came. It rolled across the land like something alive. Everything stopped and the ring around us seem to move back. My blood ran cold. I didn't have to look up, I knew who was there. The black shape of the Doom Phantom. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can we just tell I had way to much fun with this chapter? That was incredible long, I know. But I think it was good. This is the chapter for the person who likes long and full of action. Did you like it? I hope you did! Next Time: Destroy the Doom Phantom, Save the Future! (no, that is not the name) There will be another chapter out shortly and I believe I will have an epilogue at the end just to sum everything up nicely. Name:Destiny Star E-mail:Reona32@aol.com Chapter:Crystal Battle #:Chapter 24 Story Title:It Has Begun Words I use: Shimatta:Damn Kuso:Shit Daijoubu:Are you ok?-I am ok..etc. Baka:Idiot Ja ne:Bye Gomen nasai:I'm so sorry Hai:Yes Lie:No Arigatu:Thank You Nani?:What?